If I understand correctly, when approaching Whitney from the west (think Cottonwood Pass, Kearsarge Pass, etc) 15 permits that include Trail Crest exit are available at the 6 month window and then 10 are saved for walk-up. I assume the "walk-up" now means reserving online via Recreation.gov instead of actually walking up in Lone Pine like we used to. What are the specific logistics of securing that "walk up" exit permit? I know it's probably hard to do, but I just want to understand how it is supposed to work.
For example, do you secure your entry permit for the date you want and then two weeks out (or some other window) the exit permit inventory is released and you try to get lucky and grab one? Or are you waiting to grab both the entry permit and the Trail Crest exit at the same time two weeks out? Or am I totally off base and it's something completely different?
I ask because we had a date change and had to give up our Cottonwood Pass with Trail Crest exit for September, but I was able to grab a Cottonwood Pass without the TC exit for August instead. We are prepared to hike back to Horseshoe Meadows if we must, but would love to at least have a chance at getting that Trail Crest exit. Understanding exactly how it works would at least give us a shot.
